Mischa Barton has left hospital and will be returning to work just two weeks after the actress was placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold. But as the 23-year-old returns to the filming of television series, 'The Beautiful Life', her former stylist has claimed that the she's been on "a path of destruction" and abusing alcohol since she was 14....

Mischa was held under Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code (as was Britney Spears, twice, last year) meaning she could be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours if she presented a threat to herself or others.

This followed a phone call Mischa had made to the police a few days earlier, in which she required medical assistance.

But now her stylist, Stacey Kives, from the series of The O.C has claimed that Mischa was drinking since she was 14 which eventually spiraled out of control.

Stacey said:

She was on the path to self-destruction - it was just a question of when she was going to be ready to do something about it. Mischa has been drinking since she was about 14, and she doesn't drink to have fun any more - she drinks not to feel anything.

But I think this last episode has scared her straight. She finally sounds like she's seeing reality. Mischa's finally willing to get some help. She was partying so hard before. Whenever a close friend would say, 'Mischa, I'm worried about you,' she would distance herself.

It was just a matter of time before she hit rock bottom. Now she wants her friends and family around her. It's a good sign.

Mischa's spokesperson has said:

She's out of the hospital and continuing to improve in anticipation of resuming production as planned.

She will return the series which is being produced by Ashton Kutcher. Which is enough to push anyone over the edge...

Look at our Mischa gallery - Muhammad al Fayed looks like he knows how to sort out a booze hound - a bit of hair of the dog (sorry)!